Friedman Fundamentals: Freedom and Equality 

I've seen a lot of these little videos lately, and it's funny because I recognize all the quotes from start to finish because I've always been a Milton Friedman fan, and so for me these entire videos are effectively "famous quotes" given animation, but for most of the people watching it it's more or less their first exposure to Milton Friedman. For anyone confused, Milton Friedman is a nobel-prize winning economist who died a few years ago, who has always been an advocate for economic freedom. These videos are people taking snapshots of things Milton Friedman once said that explain simple economic truths and theories in eloquent, succinct language and animating a video in the background to help contextualize what's being said. Milton Friedman was a lover of history, facts, and examples and was one of the most gifted debaters of the 20th century, but these quotes are grabbed specifically to grab his summarized main points minus all the minutiae of his arguments. "Those who put equality before freedom will end up with neither. Those who put freedom before equality will end up with a great measure of both." That statement always gives me the feels. Freedom is a beautiful thing. By the way, I notice some of you guys are arguing about the statements about starting the same place. Friedman isn't trying to imply that we all do start in the same place, he's simply pointing out that the efforts of government intervention are not focused on trying to get everyone to the same starting point (which might be less problematic), they are focused on getting everyone to the same ending point, and there is absolutely no way to accommodate that without severely restricting freedoms. Of course, we all know this. This is well-known on both sides of the aisle. The question is whether it's a good idea to restrict freedom in order to achieve equality (or greater equality) of outcomes for across diverse sets of individuals. By and large, liberals tend to lean towards more restrictions on freedom in order to shoot for more equality of outcomes, whereas conservatives usually lean in the opposite direction. Which approach is better? Milton Friedman's central thesis is that restricting freedom won't actually get you the equality you're hoping for and will end up making everyone - rich and poor - worse off. Why? Well to find that out you should type "Milton Friedman" or "Milton Friedman debate" or "Milton Friedman lecture" or something of that nature into the RU-vid search bar. Do it. It's a good time.

Equality is equal opportunity, not equal everything.

We all don’t start at the same point economically

I love the animation!!

This makes the assumption that we all start the same economically and that's not true.

Solid!

If you push for equality of opportunity then it will lead to equality of out come, a stratified economy and society is the only sustainable choice. Because children from rich and poor house holds will never have the same equality of opportunity and that is perfectly healthy.

We don't all start at the same starting line. Ignoring alot of reality.

Why does his voice trigger my fight or flight Sense

Why does he sound like mr Lahey

Wait this is just communism

Who’s gonna tell him about economical advantage?

I know it’s off topic, but why are there 69 dislikes? Let’s try to keep it that way, ok? :)

PLEASE FINISH THE VIDEO

The problem with this, is that the people who end up being incredibly successful in this freedom, can easily crush the freedom of those who wasn't very successful.

Well by restricting freedom and wealth for those who have an abundance we can give others who don't have it more freedom and wealth. This entire argument hinges on the idea that in that race we start at the same point, and that's not true. The left side of politics doesn't want to make sure we end at the same point anymore (at least in America), the goal is to make sure we start at the same point so your wealth is based on effort and not luck. Edit: Also, as other comments have said, equality is not the same as equity. They are different things and mentioning one does not mean the other.

People are different. Some people get ahead by being smarter, more charismatic or simply by being born into advantageous circumstances. You may say it’s not fair, but is it not also unfair to deny them their right to live their lives however they chose? Truth is, it’s not fair or unfair, it’s just life. There will always be people who have more, it’s human nature to want more. Anyone who preaches equality is living in denial.

This is flawed. It assumes that the race begins on equal terms. It also ignores the biggest handouts in America go to wealthy coorperations/individuals. Our system takes from many for the prosperity of a few.

BASIC VIDEO

I'm wondering what sort of equality he's talking about. Because other than a pithy metaphor about running this doesn't really express who is being held back.

I have a feeling some will move away if some people’s freedom are restricted. Don’t make hate comments it’s not MY PROBLEM.

Equality might as well be socialism

Is that communism that I hear

Thats the thing. We aren't equal. The average woman is smarter than the average man. The average man is stronger than the average woman. Equality of outcome will never exist because there will always be superior individuals

Not sure it was intentional but to me this video could be interpreted as a capitalist or a communist piece of propaganda..

I'll make sure to tell my Grandma, who was killed by a Bolivian death squad, how Friedman economics in Bolivia led to "Freedom and Equality"

You sound like your from your in the 30's.

so poor people are poor and we shouldn't help them because it's their fault?

Watch the video before hitting like and dislike button.

propaganda

This feels strangely communist

I dont know who still listens to Milton Friedman but this is obviously targeted at children and that's not OK

Total baloney

This is possibly the dumbest argument I have seen in a long while.

This is libertarian propaganda